Sporting clubs hit hard

A national survey has revealed that $1.2 billion is needed to support the country’s 70,000 community sports clubs survive the impact of the Coronavirus crisis.

The Australian Sports Foundation (ASF) conducted a national campaign to help determine the impact of Covid-19 on community sport across the country.

Community sports clubs have already lost an estimated $1.6 billion to date due to Covid-19 and with lockdowns continuing in parts of Australia and sport still in jeopardy, this figure is set to rise.

ASF said alarmingly the survey revealed that over 16,000 (approx. one quarter) of community sports clubs nationally are thought to be at risk of closure if funding support isn’t provided within the next six months.

On top of the financial impact, 70 per cent of small local clubs are forecasting a reduction in the number of participants due to loss of interest caused by the period of inactivity and/or concerns around health and hygiene, while 43 per cent forecast a decline in volunteers, which are so vital to the running of community sport.

Australian Sports Foundation CEO Patrick Walker said the survey showed without financial support, thousands of clubs risked insolvency.

“This presents a real risk to the physical and mental health of our communities. This is not just a sporting crisis, but a national crisis.

“And the return to sporting activity, whenever it happens, does not mean the crisis is over – indeed, it is just beginning,” he said.

“To solve a problem of this scale requires a collaborative approach, so we are calling on all who care about the role of sport in creating healthy, inclusive communities to help us fund grassroots sport’s recovery.”

The survey revealed:

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